Support bracket for chain saw



Nov. 2, 1965 Filed March 16, 1964 R. F. KROLL SUPPORT BRACKET FOR CHAIN SAW 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

ROLAND F. KROLL Q/ZM /i ATTORNEY 5 Nov. 2, i965 R. F. KROLL 3,215,373

SUPPORT BRACKET FOR CHAIN SAW Filed March 16, 1964 2 SheeosSheet 2 INVENTOR.

ROLAND F. KROLL BY fim tjzmw ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,215,378 SUPPORT BRACKET FOR CHAIN SAW Roland F. Kroll, 680 W. Main St, Wautoma, Wis. Filed Mar. 16, 1964, Ser. No. 352,013 3 Claims. (Cl. 248-14) My invention relates to power driven chain saws, and more particularly, to an improved bracket for attachment to the power unit of a chain saw to support a variety of rotatable mechanisms on said power unit in driven relation.

The conventional power saw has, as a basic element, a compact but powerful power unit, usually comprising a gasoline engine. The power unit must be compact enough to be easily carried and maneuvered by the operator, and sufficiently powerful to drive the chain saw through trees and limbs of varying thickness, density and hardness. Often, however, a chain saw may be used infrequently or only at certain times of the year by its owner, with the result that ..or substantial periods of time the chain saw and its power unit will be idle. Frequently also, the owner of the chain saw will have a variety of uses for a portable power unit during such periods of idleness.

Therefore, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a means for quickly and easily converting the chain saw power unit into a portable source capable of a variety of uses.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a support bracket which may be attached to a chain saw power unit and which is adapted to support a variety of driven mechanisms in positions where they may be driven by the power unit.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide a compact power source, including a chain saw power unit and such a bracket, which is adapted to support and power a variety of driven mechanisms in either portable or stationary relation.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the principles of the invention have been selected for exemplification.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of my novel bracket.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear end view of the bracket of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a second embodiment of my bracket.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the bracket of FIG. 1 attached to chain saw power unit.

FIG. 6 is a partial section view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

The bracket 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 5 includes three substantially flat, rigid plates: a face plate 12; a transverse plate 13; and a base plate 14. The face plate 12 is used to attach the bracket 10 to any conventional chain saw power unit 15, as shown in FIG. 5. The face plate 12 preferably has a centrally located slot 16 extending from its rear end 17 a substantial distance toward the transverse plate 13. Adjacent each side of the slot 16 are a plurality of corresponding openings 18. The slot 16 is adapted to receive the conventional fastening means, such as fastening bolts 39, which extend from the power unit and normally support the guide bar (not shown) of the chain saw. The openings 18 preferably have different shapes to adapt them to receive the locking lugs 19 of various conventional chain saw power units 15.

The transverse plate 13 extends transversely from approximately the forward end 20 of the face plate 12. The transverse plate 13 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the face plate 12 and, when the bracket 10 is attached to a chain saw power unit, it extends outwardly therefrom and is substantially vertical. The transverse plate 13 may be integral with the face plate 12, or it may consist of a separate plate attached to the face plate in rigid relation.

The base plate 14 projects forwardly from the transverse plate 13 in rigid relation. The base plate 14 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the transverse plate 13 and substantially horizontal when the bracket 10 is attached to a chain saw power unit 15. The base plate 14 has one or more openings 22 which adapt it to individually support a wide variety of driven mechanisms. The rotary pump 23 shown in FIG. 5 is one example of the type of mechanism which may be supported by the bracket 10 and driven by the power unit 15.

A support leg 24 preferably extends downwardly from the base plate 14 to cooperate with the power unit support means and help support the bracket 10 and any driven mechanism mounted thereon when they are employed in a stationary position. If desired, the support leg 24 may carry a broad foot 25 or pad at its lower end 24a to distribute the weight of the bracket 11 and connected structure, and provide a more stable support. However, when the power unit 15, bracket 10, and supported driven mechanism are to be used as a hand tool, the support leg 24 and foot 25 may be eliminated.

The bracket 11 illustrated in FIG. 4 is generally similar to the bracket 10, described above. Like the bracket 10 it has a face plate 26, transverse plate 27 and a base plate 28. The only essential difference between the brackets 10 and 11 is that the base plate 14 of the bracket 10 rigidly projects from the transverse plate 13, while the base plate 28 of the bracket 11 swivelably projects from the transverse plate 27.

The face plate 26 of the bracket 11 has a slot 29 and openings 30 corresponding to the slot 16 and the openings 18, respectively, of the face plate 12 of the bracket 10. The face plate 26 is substantially vertical when attached to a chain saw power unit.

The transverse plate 27 of the bracket 11 projects transversely from approximately the forward end 32 of the face plate 26, and is preferably perpendicular to the face plate 26. When the bracket 11 is attached to a chain saw power unit, the transverse plate 27 is preferably substantially vertical.

A flange 34 projects preferably perpendicular from the rear end 33 of the base plate 28 of bracket 11. The flange 34 and the transverse plate 27 have corresponding openings through which is inserted a bolt 46. A nut 35 holds the bolt 46 in position. The bolt 46 and the nut 35 secure the transverse plate 27 and the base plate 28 together in swivelable relation. By loosening the nut 35, the base plate 28 may be swiveled to any position, whether substantially horizontal or inclined to the horizontal. The flange 34 and base plate are held in the desired position by tightening the nut 35. Any other suitable means may be substituted for the bolt 46 and nut 35 to provide the swivelable connection between the transverse plate 27 and the flange 34. Like the base plate 14 of the bracket 10, the base plate 28 is adapted to support any suitable driven element.

A support leg 37 carrying a foot 38 at its lower end 37a preferably projects downwardly from the base plate 28 when the base plate 28 is positioned horizontally. The support leg 37 and foot 38 will usually be removed when the base plate 28 is positioned vertically.

FIG. 5 shows how the bracket 10 is attached to a chain saw power unit 15. The typical chain saw power unit 15 has two fastening bolts 39 which support the chain saw guide bar (not shown). Those bolts 39 also support my bracket 10. Before the bracket 10 may be attached,

therefore, the chain saw guide bar must be removed from the studs 39. Once the guide bar is removed, the face plate 12 is placed against the power unit 15 with the bolts 39 projecting through the slot 16, and the power unit locking lug 19 engaging a matching plate opening 18. The face plate 12 is then secured to the studs 39 by nuts 40 or other suitable means. The support foot 25 is designed to rest on the surface which supports the power unit 15 when the face plate 12 is so secured to the bolts 39. Preferably the support leg 24 threadedly engages the base plate 14 to permit vertical adjustment of the leg 24 and foot 25.

The mechanism to be driven by the power unit 15 may be secured to the base plate 14, either before or after the bracket 10 is secured to the power unit. FIG. illustrates the manner in which a fluid pump 23 may be supported by my bracket and driven by a chain saw power unit 15.

Any suitable means may be used to adapt the drive means of a particular chain saw power unit for driving the driven mechanism. For example, the illustrated chain saw 15 has a drum clutch assembly 42, which is driven by a centrifugal clutch (not shown) which is keyed to the crankshaft (not shown) of the power unit 15. All direct drive and some gear drive chain saws have such a drum clutch assembly. In normal use, a chain drive sprocket (not shown) is secured to the clutch drum assembly 42. When the power unit 14 is to be used with my bracket 10, the sprocket is preferably removed from the assembly 42,v and a V-pulley 41 is secured to the clutch drum assembly 42 in any suitable manner, as shown in FIG. 6. Alternatively, a split V-pulley may be mounted on the drum clutch assembly 42 without removing the sprocket. A V-belt 45 is then mounted on pulley 41 and pulley 44 carried by the pump 23 or other driven element. The V-belt 45 transmits driving power from the clutch drum assembly 42 and attached pulley 41 to the pulley 44 and the pump 23.

Attachment of the bracket 11 to a chain saw is similar to the above described attachment of the bracket 10 with the exception that the base plate 28 can be swivelled to a horizontal, vertical or intermediate position, as desired.

My novel brackets 10 and 11 make any conventional chain saw a more versatile tool. The brackets 10 and 11 may mount a variety of suitable driven mechanisms for operation by the power unit 15 of the chain saw. The power unit and supported driven element may be employed, where suitable, either as a hand tool by using the conventional handles on the power unit, or as a stationary tool by using the supporting feet or 38. The swivelable mounting of the base plate 28 further adds to the versatility of any power unit to which my bracket 11 is attached. My brackets 10 and 11 allow the chain saw owner to utilize the power unit of his chain saw for a multitude of purposes, and allow him to quickly convert his power unit from one use to another as well as back to chain sawing, with a minimum of lost time. As a result, my bracket effectively converts the power unit of a conventional chain saw from a single-use unit to a portable power unit having a wide variety of applications.

It is understood that my invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts illustrated and described, but embraces all such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A bracket for supporting a driven mechanism on a chain saw power unit, said bracket comprising:

(a) a face plate having a front end and a rear end,

(b) a slot extending through said face plate between said front end and said rear end and adapted to receive a plurality of guide bar fastening bolts extending from said power unit,

(0) at least one opening extending through said face plate near said slot and adapted to receive a locking lug extending from said power unit,

(d) a transverse plate rigidly secured to said face plate near said front end and extending transversely therefrom, and

(e) a base plate extending forwardly from said transverse plate, said base plate having a plurality of openings extending therethrough and being adapted to support a mechanism driven by said power unit thereon.

2. The invention described in claim 1 including means for securing said base plate to said transverse plate in swivelable relation, whereby said base plate can be swiveled to support a mechanism in any desired position.

3. The invention described in claim 1 wherein a support leg extends downwardly from said base plate when said base plate is in a horibontal position, and wherein a pad is attached to the lower end of said support leg to provide an increased bearing surface for support of said bracket and mechanism.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 875,821 1/08 Insinger 24816 1,060,411 4/13 Amman 24816 1,073,099 9/13 Cushman 24816 1,548,833 8/25 Flegel 24814 X 1,658,458 2/28 Mross 24816 X 1,784,716 12/30 West 248 300 X 2,084,234 6/37 Anderson et a1 74-16 2,899,011 8/59 Babits 248238 X 2,976,737 3/61 Evans 7416 3,129,914 4/64 Wedge 24816 CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, Primary Examiner.

CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Examiner. 

1. A BRACKET FOR SUPPORTING A DRIVEN MECHANISM ON A CHAIN SAW POWER UNIT, SAID BRACKET COMPRISING: (A) A FACE PLATE HAVING A FRONT END AND A REAR END, (B) A SLOT EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FACE PLATE BETWEEN SAID FRONT END AND SAID REAR END AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A PLUALITY OF GUIDE BAR FASTENING BOLTS EXTENDING FROM SAID POWER UNIT, (C) AT LEAST ONE OPENING EXTENDING THROUGH SAID FACE PLATE NEAR SAID SLOT AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A LOCKING LUG EXTENDING FROM SAID POWER UNIT, (D) A TRANSVERSE PLATE RIGIDLY SECURED TO SAID FACE PLATE NEAR SAID FRONT END AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREFROM, AND (E) A BASE PLATE EXTENDING FORWARDLY FROM SAID TRANSVERSE PLATE, SAID BASE PLATE HAVING A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS EXTENDING THERETHROUGH AND BEING ADAPTED TO SUPPORT A MECHANISM DRIVE BY SAID POWER UNIT THEREON. 